P.A. Duffy & Co Solicitors is representing NI Covid Bereaved Families for Justice (NICBFJ), which is one of just 28 groups to successfully secure involvement in Module 1 of the inquiry.

In a statement, the group said: “We are heartened by Lady Hallett’s comments that the bereaved will be at the heart of the Inquiry and are reassured by her endorsement of our view that we are best placed to assist the Inquiry in understanding the perspective of the bereaved in Northern Ireland when it examines the UK’s resilience and preparedness for the Covid-19 Pandemic.

“Of the 130 core participant applications received by the Inquiry, only 28 were granted including Northern Ireland Covid Bereaved Families for Justice and associated bereaved groups in other UK nations. This reflects the central importance that the bereaved have in this Inquiry.”

The group added: “The chair was receptive to our arguments that Module 1 should take account of the unique geographical and political circumstances in Northern Ireland and how they are different to the other UK nations in the context of preparedness for the Covid-19 pandemic…

“We acknowledge that this is only the beginning of the journey toward securing answers and accountability for the death of our loved ones and we now look forward to the substantive evidence hearings for Module 1 which are due to begin in May 2023.”

The group is hosting an event at the Europa Hotel Belfast on Saturday 22 October, 11am, where representatives from P.A. Duffy & Co will provide an update on the progress of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry as well as details of the group’s ongoing campaign to secure a separate devolved Inquiry in Northern Ireland.

The event will also be attended by local politicians and guest speakers including Professor Phil Scraton, a human rights expert and academic who is best known for his investigative work on the circumstances surrounding the Hillsborough stadium disaster in 1989.